The Internet Timestamping Service

The Internet Timestamp service will be an e-mail based service. The idea is
that you send an e-mail message to a particular address (current plans
are for it to be stamp@timestamp.mit.edu). Your message will be signed with
the TimeStamping Service private key via PGP 2.6 and returned to you.

In this fashion you can prove that you had possession of a particular
document at a particular time. For example if someone sends you some
information and you want to later prove that you had it before a certain
date, send a copy through the TimeStamp service. If you are concerned
about the confidentiality of the document, you don't need to send the
the whole thing. Just send an MD5 hash code of the document (programs
do create MD5 hash codes are available on the net) *or* send a PGP
detached signature.

The timestamp will demonstrate that we (the TimeStamp service operators)
assert that you sent it through our server at a particular time (and
therefore had to have it in hand prior to that time). Because we are
a third party, not related to you or to whomever sent you the information,
our opinion will have some value.

For security reasons we will periodically change the TimeStamp service
key. All TimeStamp service public (PGP) keys will be available either via
e-mail or via the Web (found through this page).

Note: This will start off as an experimental service. We will not assert
anything from a legal standpoint. I.e., initially we will offer this service
with NO WARRANTY on an AS IS basis. However we will use our best reasonable
efforts to not screw up!